aulteration | sangcheng zone

[The bro shoulder squeeze was so bad. He does feel a little stupid for it, but maybe even more stupid feeling lax enough to--what?

Touch Huaisang's face?

His expression softens at Huaisang's back before he turns away to collect the olive robes hanging from the tree. He's careful so they don't pull or tear.] You may have to try harder next time to get me to leave Lotus Pier so easily. [He brings himself up to try to reel the boat in again.

He will hold it for Huaisang. Unfortunately, Huaisang will have to touch wet robes a bit when holding onto his arm to get in.]

I think you'll find I can be quite persistent.

[He doesn't have to say it with a teasing smile, or with his eyes slightly lidded. He doesn't have to say it with his hand on Jiang Cheng's arm.

But that's exactly what he does, stepping casually into the boat as if he's done absolutely nothing at all, getting settled there comfortably so Jiang Cheng can take them back. It's perfectly fine, and he looks all too innocent.]

[???????? JiangCheng.exe stopped working mid climb into the boat. Huaisang really can't be out here being assertive in front of Jiang Cheng. He honestly should not find it as attractive as he does.

What happens when your standards are for a person who is demure in public, but who also knows how to stand for what they want? Yanli ruined him in preparation for this.

Trading Huaisang's clothes for the pole, he gives them a little push off the mini island and then uses the other end to part the hanging leaves for their pass through.] Watch your head. [It's a bit warmer outside of the shade of the trees, but the movement of the boat toward the distant piers feels a lot better.]

[He's really coming to like those moments Jiang Cheng seems to just stop for a second, which is probably a little dangerous (for Jiang Cheng, maybe for them both); he behaves after, though, ducking his head to avoid the low branches.

The breeze really is nice, especially with his hair still not dry. Maybe being dunked in the lake wasn't completely terrible.]

If there were anything like this in Qinghe, I'm sure I'd be out here every summer night. On the water, at least, not all the way out to the island.

[He is careful not to jostle the boat too roughly through the water, mostly accidentally; otherwise, he is quite a decent boat driver. Standing at the end of the boat, Jiang Cheng doesn't look as ill-placed as someone would think.

As insulting (and like Wei Wuxian) as he'd find it, he looks like a man who would do well being a farmer boating his harvests back and forth to the market. If that lifestyle had ever been afforded to him.]

I didn't think you'd be the type to want to sit out on a muggy pier. [He glances down.] You could have always visited Lotus Pier.

[After it was rebuilt, he means, but, like... before that, too. When they were young.]

Oh, not the pier, no. But the breeze here is the only thing that makes being outside tolerable.

[And the company, which he doesn't say. He doesn't acknowledge that he's just been watching Jiang Cheng steer their boat back, that he's comfortable here in a way.]

Perhaps I could have. But da-ge wanted me in Qinghe, training. I barely passed in Gusu, after all.

[For all the good that training ever did either of them.]

Had I visited afterwards, would you have had the time-- would you have wanted to see me?

[Or would his presence be an unwelcome reminder of ties to Wei Wuxian-- if Jiang Cheng even pulled himself from his work long enough?]

[The company is something Jiang Cheng agrees on, but would never dare say aloud.

It does not surprise him to hear about the training. His life was the same, and maybe it was equally as bad for both of them. Mingjue and Madame Yu had similar scruples.

He continues easing the boat along, but his lips thin as he keeps his eyes out over the water. He can't hold any of it against Huaisang. He didn't ever go to Qinghe either, and he didn't exactly do much when Mingjue was declared dead. He thought about Huaisang, but just thinking isn't enough.]

I would have accepted you as a guest.

[He doesn't know if he would have said he didn't have time. He might have been a little put-off in his stupid, young, ambitious ways. That would've been on him. Would he have wanted to see Huaisang?

Maybe a small part of him would have. Maybe a small part had needed it.]

[Maybe in a way, they had needed each other, but neither was able to reach out for it. They'd both suffered similar losses, they both knew similar hurts-- maybe it would have helped, to have that.

They had different reasons for not allowing others in, but it came to the same result: they could have visited and they never did.]

I would have accepted you as a guest, as well.

[It's a soft acknowledgment, gazing over the water rather than looking at Jiang Cheng.]

But it seems we've caught up a little late.

[They did catch up extremely late. This is all things they should have done and said way back when they were going through the worst of their lives.

And yet, even now, he is not saying all he can. Who just brings up very personal trauma to try to talk about it? Definitely not a Jiang, not Madame Yu's son.]

But we're catching up.

[It's about the only optimistic thing he can even think to say, as cynical and bitter as he usually is. He's glided them too quickly and skillfully over the water, and they're already back at the dock attached to the pier. Their collection of alcohol is waiting for them, untouched by anyone else.

He stops the boat with the pole, and then again offers his hand out to Huaisang--this time without thinking about it.]

Perhaps it's better done late than not at all?

[It really is optimistic for Jiang Cheng, wow. Maybe Huaisang should get him to drink more. He doesn't think he particularly wants that right now, though.

There's a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, on seeing the ease with which Jiang Cheng offers that hand. Huaisang takes it, stepping carefully onto the pier, leaning on his arm a little more than necessary along the way.]

Perhaps.

[Huaisang is valid, but such a little gremlin.

Jiang Cheng takes the time to tie the boat off, and then he gathers up Huaisang's damp clothes to climb out onto the pier. Seeing the jars makes him remember the fact he may have had a bit much to drink for once, and he's almost humiliated.

He really did just traipse off with Huaisang into some secluded island grove of trees? Wow.] Let me hold that. [He tries to finagle his black pants from Huaisang so he is at least not wandering back in his underwear.

Speaking of, he glances around quickly with an intense wariness... No one seems to be around, but he wouldn't put it past the morning to be full of rumors of him and Sect Leader Nie's current state.]

Oh, don't worry, I can carry at least a bit!

[He offered to let Jiang Cheng keep the pants earlier, he said no, he is wandering back in his underwear while Huaisang plays oblivious about Why he wanted the pants. He is helping, look at him.

At that wary glance, though, Huaisang also takes a brief look around. He doesn't care quite as much about rumours personally, after years with a reputation for being useless... but he finds he does sort of care if it happens to Jiang Cheng, maybe in some way because this definitely won't happen again in that case.]

We really should be getting in, though... escort me? I'm afraid it's been some time since I was last here at night.

[Huaisang has his clothes, so. He can guess at where they're going.]

No, it-- [STOP?! HUAISANG, HIS PANTS. Sect Leader Jiang cannot traipse back through Lotus Pier in literally his damn underwear!! How does he tackle the Nie Sect Leader to get his black pants without causing a disturbance?] I...

Alright.

[Maybe he can keep Huaisang, like, on one side, or in front--no, he can't. He has to escort and lead. God dammit. After gathering up the jars and cups, he, uh, uses some of Huaisang's clothes in his arms to shield himself.

And then he resigns to proudly march back along the pier toward disciple civilization.]

[He's doing it? He's actually doing it, without complaint! What the fuck! Huaisang expected him to insist, or-- anything other than just marching proudly back without his own pants on, in the company of a Sect Leader half dressed in his clothes.

Not that he isn't absolutely delighted with this, but once it becomes clear this is actually happening, Nie Huaisang takes a couple of hurried steps to catch up.]

Ah, Jiang Cheng, Jiang Cheng-!! I didn't quite realize, your clothes-- but your hands are full now, here...

[He's laughing, the little shit, as he just. Steps close, drapes himself off Jiang Cheng-- but lightly, so he's not actually bearing Huaisang's weight. He steals a jar, takes a quick drink to put the scent back on his breath and a flush in his face.]

It seems I've had too much tonight, so you really can't be blamed for a drunken headshaker's whims, hm? Especially after fishing him out of the lake.

[If they're seen, he can be an excuse if he has to, even if it would be very funny to watch Jiang Cheng attempt to explain the situation otherwise.]

[Look, sometimes you want to pick a sect leader up and dunk the man in one of Yunmeng's lakes for his gremlin antics, but you remember you can't be as childish as you usually are.

An attempt to be better maybe.]

Sect--Nie Huaisang. [He half stumbles forward when Huaisang piles onto him, but keeps walking with the other man hanging on.

Suddenly, he realizes Huaisang had been well aware of what he needed--this shit... Jiang Cheng's expression grows sour, though not angry.] Most should be asleep by now. They won't say anything if they know what's good for them.

[Well, they won't say anything to his face because they value their lives.]

It'll be fine then, won't it?

[Huaisang you don't have to sound so pleased with yourself.

He doesn't stop hanging off Jiang Cheng, either, staying right where he is for plausible deniability reasons. It's fine. He's not uncomfortable here, actually, finding he likes having this excuse.]

I don't understand how you can be so casual about it...

[Again, he doesn't sound angry, but he does so terribly exasperated. Even letting everyone know he isn't as stupid as he acts, Huaisang has it so easy it feels like... pretending to play stupid while everyone accepts it.

That wouldn't work at all for him, he doesn't think. But maybe that's where the fear tactics come in.

So here he is, Sect Leader Jiang, Sandu Shengshou, mostly naked and slightly tipsy, walking to the end of the pier and back into the Lotus with Nie Huaisang clutched to him... and wearing his clothes. There's lanterns, but luckily, for now, no one seems to be moving around.]

sangcheng zone

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